Thanks to the leadership of Sen. Olympia Snowe, the support of Sen. Susan Collins and Reps. Mike Michaud and Chellie Pingree, at-risk kids across the country stand a better chance of growing up healthy and avoiding crime.

As law-enforcement leaders, our collective experience has shown us that at-risk kids who are denied access to health care, especially mental health care, are more likely to end up in our custody. Research also proves this to be the case.

Snowe authored a prior version of the recently enacted State Children’s Health Insurance Program reauthorization, and then worked tirelessly to shepherd it through the Senate Finance Committee and finally to enactment.

This legislation will extend health care coverage, including mental health services, to 4 million additional at-risk kids all across our country. This early prevention is a key weapon in the fight against future crime.

Our public appreciation goes out to Snowe for her leadership on the issue, and to Collins, Michaud and Pingree for their support.

Phil Crowell, chief, Auburn Police Department

Bill Welch, chief, Lewiston Police Department